Game ball tracking system

ABSTRACT

A game ball tracking system, including a game ball, including a body, a plurality of sensor wires disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the body, and a plurality of sensor transceivers disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of sensor wires to receive at least one signal identifying a position of the body on a field, a ball tracking assembly disposed on at least a portion of the field to disperse the at least one signal across the field, and a plurality of field transmitters connected to at least a portion of the ball tracking assembly to transmit the at least one signal therefrom.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The present general inventive concept relates generally to telemetry, and particularly, to a game ball tracking system.

2. Description of the Related Art

During sporting events and/or matches, a sports play is sometimes scrutinized when it is too close to call. For example, some uncertain sports plays include whether a football player landed on a specific line on a football field, whether a baseball player caught a ball out of bounds, and/or whether a hockey player hit a puck within a goal before sliding out of a net. These types of events can drastically change an outcome of a sports game.

Referees will often spend vast amounts of time reviewing sports plays to determine the validity of a score. Referee reviews are based off of camera footage which can be difficult to analyze given the inconsistencies with the camera angles and/or human opinions. The inaccuracy of the camera footage from the game not only warrants multiple time-consuming reviews, but also makes it hard for the referees to make calls and decisions regarding the play under scrutiny.

Therefore, there is a need for a game ball tracking system that automatically determines the accuracy of the sports play.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept provides a game ball tracking system.

Additional features and utilities of the present general inventive concept will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the general inventive concept.

The foregoing and/or other features and utilities of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a game ball tracking system, including a game ball, including a body, a plurality of sensor wires disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the body, and a plurality of sensor transceivers disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of sensor wires to receive at least one signal identifying a position of the body on a field, a ball tracking assembly disposed on at least a portion of the field to disperse the at least one signal across the field, and a plurality of field transmitters connected to at least a portion of the ball tracking assembly to transmit the at least one signal therefrom.

The plurality of sensor wires may be disposed on an interior surface of the body.

The ball tracking assembly may include a perimeter tracking wire disposed on at least a portion of a perimeter of the field, a plurality of field tracking wires disposed on at least a portion of the field and extending from a first side toward a second side of the field, and a plurality of goal tracking wires disposed on at least a portion of a first end and a second end of the field.

The plurality of sensor transceivers may receive the at least one signal and identify the position of the body in response to at least one of an outer surface of the body contacting the ball tracking assembly and at least one of the plurality of sensor transceivers moving over a boundary of the ball tracking assembly.

The game ball tracking system may further include a control unit connected to the game ball, the ball tracking assembly, and the plurality of field transmitters to calculate the position of the body in response to measuring at least one of a surface area of the body, a length of the body, and a size of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other features and utilities of the present generally inventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a game ball tracking system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments (a.k.a., exemplary embodiments) will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are illustrated. In the figures, the thicknesses of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the figures and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure. Like numbers refer to like/similar elements throughout the detailed description.

It is understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art. However, should the present disclosure give a specific meaning to a term deviating from a meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill, this meaning is to be taken into account in the specific context this definition is given herein.

List of Components

-   -   Game Ball Tracking System 100     -   Game Ball 110     -   Body 111     -   First End 111 a     -   Second End 111 b     -   Sensor Wires 112     -   Sensor Transceivers 113     -   Power Source 114     -   Ball Tracking Assembly 120     -   Perimeter Tracking Wire 121     -   Field Tracking Wires 122     -   Goal Tracking Wires 123     -   Field Transmitters 130     -   Control Unit 140

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a game ball tracking system 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept.

The game ball tracking system 100 may be constructed from at least one of metal, plastic, wood, glass, and rubber, etc., but is not limited thereto.

The game ball tracking system 100 may include a game ball 110, a ball tracking assembly 120, a plurality of field transmitters 130, and a control unit 140, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the game ball 110 is illustrated to be football. However, the game ball 110 may be a baseball, a soccer ball, a tennis ball, a golf ball, a shuttlecock, a flying disc, a puck, or any other ball used in sports known to one of ordinary skill in the art, but is not limited thereto.

The game ball 110 may include a body 111, a plurality of sensor wires 112, a plurality of sensor transceivers 113, and a power source 114, but is not limited thereto.

The body 111 may be constructed of any shape corresponding to a sports game, such as football, soccer, baseball, tennis, golf, badminton, and/or hockey.

The body 111 may include a first end 111 a and a second end 111 b, but is not limited thereto.

The first end 111 a may be disposed at an end of the body 111. The second end 111 b may be disposed at another end of the body 111 opposite with respect to the first end 111 a.

The plurality of sensor wires 112 may be disposed within at least a portion of the body 111 and/or connected to an interior surface of the body 111. In other words, the plurality of sensor wires 112 may be disposed away from a space within an interior of the body 111. Also, the plurality of sensor wires 112 may extend from the first end 111 a to the second end 111 b. It is important to note that many balls in sports games use air inflated balls, and thus, the plurality of sensor wires 112 may only contact the interior surface of the body 111 and not suspended within the space of the interior of the body 111.

Furthermore, each of the plurality of sensor wires 112 may be distanced away from each other to maximize contact over an area on the interior surface of the body 111. Alternatively, the plurality of sensor wires 112 may be embedded within material of the body 111, such that the plurality of sensor wires 112 may remain hidden despite opening the body 111.

The plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may be disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of sensor wires 112. As such, each of the plurality of sensor wires 112 may have a plurality of sensor transceivers 113 disposed thereon.

The power source 114 may include a battery and a solar cell, but is not limited thereto.

The power source 114 may be disposed within at least a portion of the body 111. The power source 114 may provide power to the plurality of sensor wires 112 and/or the plurality of sensor transceivers 113. Also, the power source 114 may charge the battery in response to the solar cell receive an external light source thereon.

The ball tracking assembly 120 may disperse at least one signal across the field 10.

The ball tracking assembly 120 may include a perimeter tracking wire 121, a plurality of field tracking wires 122, and a plurality of goal tracking wires 123, but is not limited thereto.

The perimeter tracking wire 121 may be disposed on at least a portion of a perimeter of a field 10. For example, referring again to FIG. 1 , the perimeter tracking wire 121 may be disposed on each side of the field 10, such that the perimeter tracking wire 121 may surround the field 10.

The plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may detect an outer surface of the body 111 in contact with at least a portion of the perimeter tracking wire 121 and/or crossing a threshold of the perimeter tracking wire 121. More specifically, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may receive a perimeter wire signal dispersed on the perimeter tracking wire 121 in response to the outer surface of the body 111 contacting the perimeter tracking wire 121 and/or at least one of the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 moving over a boundary of the perimeter tracking wire 121. As such, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may determine a position of the body 111 on the field 10, such as leaving a boundary of the field 10 (i.e., out of bounds).

The plurality of field tracking wires 122 may be disposed on at least a portion of the field 10 and extending from a first side toward a second side of the field 10. Additionally, the plurality of field tracking wires 122 may be connected to the perimeter tracking wire 121, such as a first side and/or a second side of the perimeter tracking wire 121 opposite with respect to the first side of the perimeter tracking wire 121.

Each of the plurality of field tracking wires 122 may be distanced from each other. For example, a position of each of the plurality of field tracking wires 122 may correspond to a yard line of the field 10.

The plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may detect the outer surface of the body 111 in contact with at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of field tracking wires 122 and/or crossing a threshold of at least one of the plurality of field tracking wires 122. More specifically, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may receive a field tracking wire signal dispersed on the plurality of field tracking wires 122 in response to the outer surface of the body 111 contacting at least one of the plurality of field tracking wires 122 and/or at least one of the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 moving over a boundary of at least one of the plurality of field tracking wires 122. As such, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may identify a position of the body 111 on the field 10.

The plurality of goal tracking wires 123 may be disposed on at least a portion of a first end and/or a second end of the field 10 opposite with respect to the first end of the field 10.

The plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may detect the outer surface of the body 111 in contact with at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of goal tracking wires 123 and/or crossing a threshold of at least one of the plurality of goal tracking wires 123. More specifically, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may receive a goal tracking wire signal dispersed on the plurality of goal tracking wires 123 in response to the outer surface of the body 111 contacting at least one of the plurality of goal tracking wires 123 and/or at least one of the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 moving over a boundary of at least one of the plurality of goal tracking wires 123. As such, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may determine a position of the body 111 on the field 10, such scoring a goal.

Furthermore, the perimeter tracking wire 121, the plurality of field tracking wires 122, and/or the plurality of goal tracking wires 123 may be disposed under a ground surface. In other words, the perimeter tracking wire 121, the plurality of field tracking wires 122, and/or the plurality of goal tracking wires 123 may be disposed in a subterranean environment.

The plurality of field transmitters 130 may be connected to at least a portion of the perimeter tracking wire 121, the plurality of field tracking wires 122, and/or the plurality of goal tracking wires 123. The plurality of field transmitters 130 may transmit the at least one signal therefrom, such as the perimeter wire signal through the perimeter tracking wire 121, the field tracking wire signal through the plurality of field tracking wires 122, and/or the goal tracking wire signal through the plurality of goal tracking wires 123. Accordingly, the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may determine the position of the body 111 on the field 10 based on the perimeter tracking wire 121, the plurality of field tracking wires 122, and/or the plurality of goal tracking wires 123. As such, the at least one signal may identify the position of the body 111 on the field 10.

The control unit 140 may be a computer. Moreover, the control unit 140 may include a processing unit (or central processing unit, CPU) including electronic circuitry to carry out instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions. The control unit 140 may include an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that performs arithmetic and logic operations, processor registers that supply operands to the ALU and store the results of ALU operations, and a control unit that fetches instructions from memory and “executes” them by directing the coordinated operations of the ALU, registers and other components. The control unit 140 may also include a microprocessor and a microcontroller.

The control unit 140 may be connected to the game ball 110, the ball tracking assembly 120, and/or the plurality of field transmitters 130. The control unit 140 may calculate and/or analyze the position of the body 111 with respect to the field 10 based on the at least one signal transmitted from the plurality of sensor transceivers 113. As such, the control unit 140 may automatically determine the position of the body 111 in response to the control unit 140 measuring a surface area, a length, and/or a size of the body 111 using the plurality of sensor wires 112 and/or the plurality of sensor transceivers 113.

Therefore, the game ball tracking system 100 may provide precise measurements of the game ball 110 during a sports game, such that referees may avoid reviewing camera footage. Additionally, the game ball tracking system 100 may be more accurate in determining the position of the game ball 110.

The present general inventive concept may include a game ball tracking system 100, including a game ball 110, including a body 111, a plurality of sensor wires 112 disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the body 111, and a plurality of sensor transceivers 113 disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of sensor wires 112 to receive at least one signal identifying a position of the body 111 on a field 10, a ball tracking assembly 120 disposed on at least a portion of the field 10 to disperse the at least one signal across the field 10, and a plurality of field transmitters 130 connected to at least a portion of the ball tracking assembly 120 to transmit the at least one signal therefrom.

The plurality of sensor wires 112 may be disposed on an interior surface of the body 111.

The ball tracking assembly 120 may include a perimeter tracking wire 121 disposed on at least a portion of a perimeter of the field 10, a plurality of field tracking wires 122 disposed on at least a portion of the field 10 and extending from a first side toward a second side of the field 10, and a plurality of goal tracking wires 123 disposed on at least a portion of a first end and a second end of the field 10.

The plurality of sensor transceivers 113 may receive the at least one signal and identify the position of the body 111 in response to at least one of an outer surface of the body 111 contacting the ball tracking assembly 120 and at least one of the plurality of sensor transceivers 113 moving over a boundary of the ball tracking assembly 120.

The game ball tracking system 100 may further include a control unit 140 connected to the game ball 110, the ball tracking assembly 120, and the plurality of field transmitters 130 to calculate the position of the body 111 in response to measuring at least one of a surface area of the body 111, a length of the body 111, and a size of the body 111.

Although a few embodiments of the present general inventive concept have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the general inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A game ball tracking system, comprising: a game ball, comprising: a body, a plurality of sensor wires disposed within at least a portion of an interior of the body, and a plurality of sensor transceivers disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of sensor wires to receive at least one signal identifying a position of the body on a field, such that each of the plurality of sensor wires has fourteen of the plurality of sensor transceivers disposed thereon and the plurality of sensor transceivers are distanced from each other along each of the plurality of sensor wires; a ball tracking assembly disposed on at least a portion of the field to disperse the at least one signal across the field; and a plurality of field transmitters connected to at least a portion of the ball tracking assembly to transmit the at least one signal therefrom.
 2. The game ball tracking system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor wires are disposed on an interior surface of the body.
 3. The game ball tracking system of claim 1, wherein the ball tracking assembly comprises: a perimeter tracking wire disposed on at least a portion of a perimeter of the field; a plurality of field tracking wires disposed on at least a portion of the field and extending from a first side toward a second side of the field; and a plurality of goal tracking wires disposed on at least a portion of a first end and a second end of the field.
 4. The game ball tracking system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensor transceivers receives the at least one signal and identifies the position of the body in response to at least one of an outer surface of the body contacting the ball tracking assembly and at least one of the plurality of sensor transceivers moving over a boundary of the ball tracking assembly.
 5. The game ball tracking system of claim 1, further comprising: a control unit connected to the game ball, the ball tracking assembly, and the plurality of field transmitters to calculate the position of the body based on at least one other signal transmitted from the plurality of sensor transceivers.
 6. A game ball tracking system, comprising: a game ball, comprising: a body, a plurality of sensor wires embedded within material of the body, such that the plurality of sensor wires remain hidden in response to opening the body, and a plurality of sensor transceivers disposed on at least a portion of each of the plurality of sensor wires to receive at least one signal identifying a position of the body on a field; a ball tracking assembly disposed on at least a portion of the field to disperse the at least one signal across the field; a plurality of field transmitters connected to at least a portion of the ball tracking assembly to transmit the at least one signal therefrom; and a control unit connected to the game ball to measure at least one of a surface area of the body, a length of the body, and a size of the body using at least one of the plurality of sensor wires and the plurality of sensor transceivers. 